“The Enterprise comes under attack by unknown aliens while investigating the near-destruction of the Cestus III colony. While chasing the aliens into unexplored space, both ships are captured by the powerful Metrons, who force Kirk and the alien captain (later identified as a member of the Gorn race – and voice by Ted Cassidy) to trial by combat: the winner's vessel will be set free, while the loser's ship will be destroyed.”
So what if the plot is weak and there’s barely any dialogue, this episode is pure action. Never before has this Enterprise crew been engaged is such battle. Could be the most made fun of episode of Star Trek, but I really dig it. Right away in the beginning they land on Cestus III and are bombarded by missles. It’s a rather fierce fight and lasts some time. They beam up and eventually chase the Gorn ship through space. Suddenly both ships stop dead and are visited by the voice of a Metron. They offer to settle this little tiff by transporting Kirk and the Gorn Captain to a place where they can fight it out. There is also all of the materials to make a weapon available here … HINT, HINT! But really why? It seems rather forced.
The Gorn looks like a guy in a crappy rubber lizard custom, well because that’s what it is. But never mind, overlook it, pretend it doesn’t suck, because this will be an entertaining ride. The Gorn is slow and very strong. Kirk is quick and very smart. Good matchup. At one point the Gorn and Kirk embraced in a wrestling hold … wouldn’t the Gorn have just ripped Kirk apart? I mean he can lift gigantic boulders. Also, yet again we see a sword fight involving tree branches. Finally, I love watching the Gorn with his microphone, always funny. (For more Gorn material please reference my very first Mugato's blog post from November 18th 2004).
Kirk comments that they have been taken to the surface of an asteroid. Would an asteroid have a landscape with trees, shrubs … a sky? Maybe in the right conditions I guess, just seems unlikely. This was filmed at Vazquez Rocks in California, also used in Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey.
This has always been my favorite part: Kirk uses materials that he found around the landscape to construct a cannon. He then shoots the Gorn and traps him. But, he refuses to kill him. This is where the Metron finally appears … and boy what a site. It’s a man in a dress. A nice dress too, like something that a girl would wear to an awards show. Sadly this is the first episode that doesn’t have a piece of eye candy in it … so I guess this thing will have to do. This could take some time.
ST TOS COUNTDOWN: 19 down 61 to go
4 comments:
I watched an episode of Mythbusters not too long ago where they attempted to create a cannon the way that Captain Kirk did in this episode. It couldn't be done, of course--he'd have blown himself up if anything.
This episode takes a lot of knocks for the terrible, slow motion fight choreography, but hell--I'll always love it.
Ha ha, yeah I saw that too. And I recall thinking, even as a little kid, wouldn't that thing just blow in his face??
I always liked Gorn.
I wonder if he is a fan of David Icke's theories about reptilian aliens?
also gorn seems kinda dumb yet has a space ship?
Lets go see David Icke
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